When the United States purchased what became later the State of Alaska from Russia in 1867, it cost them the equivalent of $120 million in today’s money. Still less than what Real Madrid paid for Cristiano Ronaldo.

In 2009, Real Madrid purchased Cristiano Ronaldo from Manchester United for $131.6 million, making him the most expensive footballer in history. That means that player with 213 goals in 339 matches for his clubs and 37 more in 100 matches for his country is more valuable than a state, the largest in the United States and larger than most of what Europe has to offer, with a population of 731,000 living on 663,268 square miles, without mentioning the non-human resources Alaska has to offer.

No one expected Alaksa to be the economical gold mine it is, with a gross state product of $44.9 billion, more than 80% of the state’s revenues derived from petroleum extraction thanks to all the oil and natural gas.

It also tells us the craziness that is involved in the world of football and the transfer market. The price bubble, and what teams are willing to spend, whether they have that kind of money or not, in order to sign the best talent in the world, before we even discuss the wages they get.

There’s been quite a lot of talk recently about Ronaldo leaving Real Madrid. Not just where, but for what price. With his contract up in two and a half years, there’s no reason for Real Madrid to be selling cheaply. Some suggest that Real won’t be willing to sell him at a loss, and figures of £120 million have been mentioned. Others have said that with the right kind of players in some exchange deal, £60-70 should be enough.